Animal research statistics

The university reports the number of animals and the purpose for their use in research by species each year.

In 2025 the number of regulated procedures carried out, separated by species, and by scientific purpose were: 

Total number of regulated procedures (16,367), mouse (16,170), rat (197), breeding purpose (9,936) and experimental purpose (6,234).

In 2017, the Home Office required the Establishment to count the use of animals bred for scientific purposes but not used in any regulated procedure. In subsequent years, the University has continued to collect these summary data. In 2025, the total number of animals used for non-regulated data collection was 2,746. 

Breeding genetically normal rats are rehomed following the end of their scientific use, where possible, following advice from the University Veterinarian Surgeon that they are fit and well. In 2025, 5 rats were rehomed.

Severity statistics

Each regulated procedure is assigned a severity which describes the animal's experience.

In 2025, the severities recorded were:

Sub Threshold (74.85%), Mild (17.49%), Moderate (5.97%), Severe (0.02%), and Non-recovery (1.67%).

Further information on assigning severity can be found in the Statement on the use of animals in research in the University of Dundee.